host moving party
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Moving can be both a stressful and bittersweet experience especially if you are moving out of state. But one way in which you can make the sad and melancholy feeling go away is by hosting a moving party. Moving parties allow you to gather all your friends together where you can reminisce and celebrate your move. And more than that it also provides a way in which you can exchange contacts with each whether it is online or offline.

Should You Throw A Goodbye Party Before Moving Out

Whether you should throw a moving-out party is ultimately up to you and your personal preferences. It can be a fun way to celebrate your new chapter and say goodbye to friends and family before you move, but it’s not necessary. Consider the amount of time and effort you have to put into planning the party and whether it fits into your budget.

You’ll be saying goodbye to a lot of people in the days leading up to your move. All day long, memories will unavoidably come to mind; this is natural. You will feel more at peace and be glad to have the chance to say farewell to your closest friends and family members if you host a party before you relocate. A few buddies and some snacks are just fine; a large and expensive celebration is not necessary.

Since it would be your last shindig with your friends and family before you move, you should ensure that you make it a memorable one.

Start Planning Your Moving Party Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to inform your friends that you’re arranging a moving party; they should already make plans. Make your plans a few weeks in advance and get your friends’ RSVPs so you can prepare the activities, food, beverages, and space you’ll need, among other things. You may create entertaining relocation party invitations and mail or email them to your guests.

Before the moving away party kicks off, make sure to create a dedicated email address where guests can send their RSVPs and party ideas, ensuring you don’t miss any good ideas in your regular inbox clutter. The theme of the party should also be mentioned in your invitation so that your friends can get ready. Not everyone will have time to run out and buy a last-minute costume or accessories.

Naturally, there are a variety of ways to accomplish this. There are a variety of other concerns on your mind that are probably much more significant than a goodbye party. Making lists, planning the entire process in advance, scheduling movers, and who knows what else are all necessary. Everyone can still find time to get together, and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Consider the ideal day. Since most individuals do not have to work on the weekends, that could easily be a Saturday or Sunday. Consider the timing; you might have a daylong celebration or just an evening gathering. Whatever appeals to you and gives you the most comfort.

Choose the Type of Moving Party You Want

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Choosing which part of the relocation you need assistance with should be your first priority. Doing a complete move to your new residence? You can use this to decide when the party should take place, who to invite, and all other pertinent information. Your buddies could be more willing to participate in a packing party because it normally doesn’t involve any heavy lifting or stair climbing. While throwing a moving party is a good way to pass the time on a moving day, it can be exhausting for those taking part.

These days, moving parties are growing in popularity as they offer you the opportunity to spend quality time with your friends and family that you are leaving behind. Moving parties are very easy to organize, especially if you are working with a party theme in mind. A theme could easily incorporate different aspects of your move in terms of location or where you are going to move. If you’re stumped on a party idea, consider a ‘Farewell to the States’ theme if you’re moving internationally, complete with foods and decorations from your new country.

For instance, let’s say that you are moving to Las Vegas. You can plan your Las Vegas moving party theme by perhaps decorating your home like a casino or by sending out invitations that utilize the Las Vegas strip. The possibilities are endless.

Here are a few more moving theme ideas that you can use or incorporate into your existing theme.

If you are planning to move around the summertime, your theme should reflect this. Summer moving parties can be filled with a backyard barbecue gathering, with luaus available for guests as they come in. Poolside is also a great place to host a summer moving party, so if you are going with this type of party, ensure that you have someone who can look after the kids in attendance. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan for outdoor activities, especially if you’re hosting a summer moving party, as the weather can be unpredictable.

Perhaps you may be making a military move with your spouse to another country, like Germany. Decorate your home with tiny red, black, and yellow German flags, and make sure to have plenty of beer on hand as well as bratwurst and pumpernickel bread.

Choose a Location For the Moving Party

grill

Typically, a moving party is hosted at the residence that a person is leaving, whether it be an apartment or a home. All attendees will presume such is also the case because that is the typical setup for those kinds of gatherings. You should also think about organizing the moving-out party at your existing residence because you are familiar with it and will know just how to make it work for having fun with your friends there.

Who To Invite to a Party

There are probably certain neighbors you enjoy interacting with and you undoubtedly have friends in the area. You may, however, prefer a small get-together with your closest pals. Call every household in the area if not. It’s important that you are happy and cheerful, and that those around you are joyful since you are taking a significant and adventurous step in your life, even though they are sad to see you go.

Make Your Guest List

As soon as you’ve made the decision to throw a goodbye party, start putting together your guest list. Try to recall everyone who has played a role in your life over the past few years when creating your guest list. Close friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers may fall under this category.

It’s likely that you won’t be able to invite everyone, so you’ll need to decide who to include and who to exclude. If you’re having trouble deciding who to invite, try reflecting on those people who have supported you the most during difficult times. It makes more sense to host a more intimate gathering with the people you care about the most under the current conditions. If you’re short on time, a simple farewell party with a heartfelt speech and some light snacks can be just as meaningful as a big bash.

Do You Need Moving and Packing Help

Throwing a going-away party could be a smart idea to recruit helpers if you have a lot of work to do before your move. You can decide what to ask for assistance with, but not everyone will be thrilled to let their pals pack their t-shirts and socks. Asking your friends for assistance may be a smart idea if you are finding your move to be a lot of work and you are short on time.

Make sure to check in advance if they are available on the day of your move! If so, you can plan a moving party and gather the necessary moving assistance. Keep in mind that serving alcohol before the work is finished runs the danger of injuring guests and damaging property if it is handled by intoxicated individuals. Start by preparing coffee, light snacks, drinks, and packing materials.

Add Music For Motivation

With strong background music, work moves more quickly and is more fun. To get the most work from your guests, play energetic music that keeps them moving. When you’re ready to relax and properly celebrate your move once all the effort is done, you can switch to something more laid-back. If you truly want a music spectacular, engage a DJ or ask a friend to set up the sound for you as you’re transporting your own music equipment.

Signature Drink

Creating a signature cocktail for your moving party provides a fun personal touch. Consider creating a one-of-a-kind cocktail that captures the spirit of your time in the house or represents the essence of your new destination. Experiment with flavors and substances that trigger memories or represent aspects of the area you’re leaving or going to. To add a touch of originality and feeling, serve the trademark drink in personalized glasses, such as ones engraved with your name or a particular message.

Enhance the presentation of the beverages by garnishing them with unique and eye-catching features such as edible flowers, fruit slices, or themed cocktail stirrers. The signature drink becomes more than just a delightful and refreshing treat; it also serves as a conversation starter.

Host Activities and Games for Guests To Enjoy

Here are some ideas for activities and games you can plan for your guests to enjoy at your moving party:

Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items that can be found in your home and divide your guests into teams. The first team to find all the items wins a prize.

Housewarming Puzzle: Create a puzzle of your floor plan and have guests race to put it together.

Trivia Challenge: Create a trivia game about your old neighborhood, your new neighborhood, or your move in general and have guests compete in teams.

Name that Room: Create a guessing game where guests have to name the room based on the clues you provide.

Decorating Challenge: Divide guests into teams and give them a budget and a list of items to decorate a room.

DIY Crafts: Prepare some DIY crafts activities for guests to participate and make something for their new house or for themself as a souvenir.

Make Sure Everyone is Having Fun

Don’t give your visitors the impression that they are in a boot camp. Yes, you need their assistance, but this is supposed to be a celebration as well. Play music, take breaks, communicate with one other, and do whatever else you want to make the packing party exciting. Plan some enjoyable activities that you can all play while taking breaks throughout the night. For example, keep a deck of cards or a few board games out of their boxes. During a moving day party, play music to keep everyone energized and schedule periodic dance breaks.

A moving party would not be complete without actual moving items. Aside from bringing a dish, have your guests bring along an item or two that could assist you in moving. This could be a moving box, Scotch tape, markers, labels, bubble wrap, etc. Items such as these can truly ease your anxiety over moving. For a unique twist, make your moving away party a potluck where each guest brings a dish that reminds them of a memorable time they’ve spent with you.

You shouldn’t let down your visitors because everyone will be expecting you to give a brief speech. You have two options for your speech: either you can plan it out beforehand, or you can improvise. In either case, don’t forget to reassure your close friends of how much you value their friendship and express your regret for leaving them behind following the relocation.

The Movers’ Memorabilia Wall

The Movers’ Memorabilia Wall is a one-of-a-kind and interactive feature where guests can leave notes, drawings, or well wishes. It becomes a sentimental reminder of your time in the old house, preserving the moments you enjoyed with friends. Each contribution to the wall tells a narrative and has sentimental worth, forming a concrete representation of the bonds made within those walls.

It encourages guests to engage in the farewell process and leaves a permanent impression of their creativity, fostering a sense of community and solidarity. This treasured memory connects the past and the future, preserving the love, laughter, and support that surrounds you as you embark on your new adventure. To get everyone excited about your new place, consider creating a slideshow or virtual tour showcasing the highlights of your future home and neighborhood.

Have Gifts Ready

Giving each buddy a tiny farewell present is one of the finest ways to make your event unforgettable.

Of course, that portion of the gathering is entirely optional, so feel free to forego it if you don’t have any decent suggestions for gifts for your friends. On the other hand, you should definitely move forward with the plan if you happen to know what will make your buddies happy.

The good news is that you don’t even need to purchase any pricey presents. In fact, cheap ones should also be acceptable as long as they are heartfelt and serve to constantly remind your pals of you and your friendship.

Stay In Touch After the Move

Moving-out parties frequently include mixed emotions. The idea that you’re moving away and won’t see your friends for some time will undoubtedly cause sadness and even some tears to be shed during the party, even if you’re gathering your pals to spend some time with them and have as much fun as you can for one final time. And it’s all right. Make sure you let your friends know your new address and make a pact to stay in touch. Additionally, think of inviting your closest friends to your new residence in your new destination town or metropolis.

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Hosting a Moving Party

You’re gearing up for a major transition and you want your farewell to be memorable, correct? Let’s cut to the chase. A moving party is not just about saying goodbye; it’s an opportunity to forge unforgettable moments while minimizing stress. Here are five mistakes you definitely need to steer clear of to ensure your moving party is a smashing success.

Mistake 1: Ignoring Dietary Restrictions

You might think a pizza party is a one-size-fits-all solution, but what about your gluten-free or vegan friends? Make sure you’re aware of any dietary restrictions among your guests. Create a simple Google Form asking about food preferences and allergies when you send out your invites. This way, everyone can enjoy the food, and you won’t have any awkward moments.

Mistake 2: Overlooking Local Noise Ordinances

You’re excited and you want to celebrate, but keep in mind that not everyone in your neighborhood might share your enthusiasm. Check local noise ordinances and plan your party’s timing accordingly. The last thing you want is a visit from law enforcement shutting down your party and leaving a bad impression.

Mistake 3: Neglecting the Emotional Aspect

It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and forget that this is an emotional event for you and your friends. Create a “Memory Lane” corner where people can pen down their favorite memories with you. This not only serves as a keepsake but also allows for emotional expression, making the event more meaningful.

Mistake 4: Failing to Plan for Weather

If you’re planning an outdoor event, always have a Plan B for bad weather. Renting a tent last minute can be expensive and stressful. Check the weather forecast in advance and have an indoor setup ready to go if Mother Nature decides not to cooperate.

Mistake 5: Not Capturing the Moments

You’ll be busy playing host and might forget to capture the memories. Assign a friend or hire a local photographer to take candid shots. These photos will be your keepsake as you move on to a new chapter in your life.

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Written by Margarita Hakobyan
Margarita Hakobyan is the founder and CEO of MoversCorp.com. She has published more than 300 articles about moving, storage, and home organizing, making her a moving specialist since she began writing about the moving industry in 2005. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter.